3. ALESSIO
3
ALESSIO
I should probably be insulted that this woman has informed me—and by a note, no less—that my stalking skills need some work, but I can’t shake my amusement. The woman really thinks we haven’t figured out she was onto us? Or noticed she snuck behind our SUV from the alleyway? We notice everything, but I wanted to see what she would do. If she would say anything. Lazaro voted we just grab her and take her, but something cautioned me.
And now I’m glad we did, because I’m far more intrigued than I was earlier today. I look up at the window I know is hers, and I see her standing there, looking down at me with a cool and calm expression. What kind of woman isn’t frightened of a man following her around all day? Apparently this one. Anticipation fills me as I head for the main door, finding it unlocked and open for us.
“What’s the plan?” Lazaro asks me quietly in Italian.
I smirk. “I think we see what Ms. Harris has to say, and then leave it to me. The De Luca men either haven’t found her or haven’t caught up to us, so we have some time, but we don’t want to waste it.” Lazaro nods, and then we step into the elevator and head up to Sienna’s floor.
Standing in front of her door moments later, I give a swift knock and then wait patiently. I hear movement inside, and when the door opens, I get my first full look at Sienna Harris. The punch to the gut I feel almost has me breaking, hauling her to me and carrying her out of here – a sure-fire way to draw unwanted attention. All the things about her I noted before are the same, but somehow, being so close to her, actually smelling the sweet scent of her lotion, is like flipping a switch.
Is this how Nico felt when he laid eyes on Gia? Because this woman is about to be mine. She doesn’t know it yet, but she will be.
“Ms. Harris,” I say, letting a charming smile pull at my lips.
“Stalker,” she replies calmly. Lazaro lets out a soft chuckle, but I don’t even glance at him. The woman in front of me is far more interesting. She steps back into her apartment, leaving the door open, but never giving us her back. Smart. I follow her inside, each of my steps that of a wolf stalking its prey. Our eyes hold, never leaving the other, even when Lazaro steps in behind me, shutting the door. Everyone stops moving, and the room seems to hold its breath.
The apartment is silent as no one moves or talks. I stare at the woman in front of me who is turning out to be something I never expected. Interesting. Intriguing. Resourceful. And mistakenly brave, letting the two of us in this apartment with her. Still, I can admire her for it.
Finally, Sienna breaks the silence. “First things first, I have cameras covering every angle of this place, so if you’re thinking to murder me, you’ll want to reconsider. If law enforcement can’t get you, my best friend will hunt you down like dogs. So, how about we start with who you are and why you’ve been following me around the last two days.”
“Your mistake, cara mia ,” I tell her easily, leaning casually against the kitchen island, “is thinking that cameras would deter me. But don’t worry, I’m not here to kill you. As for your friend, well, Ms. O’Brien can be easily convinced of your wellbeing, I’m sure.”
She doesn’t react to my knowing her best friend’s name, or my nonchalance about the cameras. Instead, she leans against the opposite counter and crosses her arms over her chest, unimpressed. “I still don’t hear you telling me who you are and why you’re following me.”
Her sass has my cock twitching in my pants, and my smile growing. Who knew I would relish such a sassy mouth? Makes me wonder what she would do if I was to force her to her knees and fuck it, but that’s something to wonder about later. Instead I say conversationally, “Consider us concerned citizens.” I don’t know why I’m dragging this out, but damn, it’s fun and I’m enjoying myself far more than I should be.
She blinks at me, then snorts. “Concerned citizens stalk a woman for two days? Try again. Now, I’m only going to ask you one more time. Who are you, and why are you following me? If you’re not going to tell me, then leave.”
“Who do you think we are?” I ask.
She glares at me, clearly frustrated. “I’m not doing the ‘answer questions with a question’ thing,” she snaps. Then she looks at Lazaro. “You. You can tell me if he’s not going to.” Lazaro stands there silently, knowing better than to speak.
“ Cara mia , you are so different from your sister, and it’s refreshing,” I remark, unable to help myself. That makes her pause, and she slowly turns back to look at me. I’ll give her props for not losing her cool; not a single muscle moves in her expression. “Your sister is growing into her fire, though. Her husband is seeing to that.”
“Who are you?” she asks again. She doesn’t even comment on the bomb I’ve just dropped.
“My name is Alessio Caruso.” I keep the charming smile on my face, even as I watch her carefully. Our name is well known across Europe, and even in her sheltered life with her adoptive family, I’m sure she’s heard it. The only reaction I get is the slightest widening of her eyes, but otherwise, her expression doesn’t change. “And this is my security, Lazaro,” I add with a nod of my head toward the man.
She waits a moment, and then she gives a soft chuckle, surprising me. That wasn’t the reaction I was expecting, but clearly Sienna Harris is no ordinary woman. Finally, she says, “And what would the son of one of the biggest mafia families in Europe be doing in my home? And, just who do you think my family is? I assume you’re talking about my biological family, not the one who raised me.”
That answers the question of whether she knows she’s adopted. That won’t devastate her at least, though I imagine everything else I’m about to tell her is not going to go over as well. Especially since I can already see her mind working, trying to figure out the connection.
“I’m here to take you to meet your family,” I say simply. No need to waste any more time. “And I don’t think, I know who your family is. Honestly, I think you could have chosen a far better one to be born into, though your sister is the only exception. The rest of your family leave much to be desired.”
“And their names?”
“Your parents’ names are Leonardo and Luisa De Luca. You have five, well four now, brothers, and one younger sister. You also have an uncle, who has three sons of his own, and possibly a couple female cousins, though we’re working on that mystery.”
Her face gives away no recognition of the name. “Where are they?”
“New York City, though they are currently a bit…scattered.”
“How do you know them?”
“Now, that’s where it gets a bit complicated,” I say, pulling out one of the stools she has tucked against the island and taking a seat. We’re going to be here awhile; why not make myself comfortable?
She narrows her eyes and says tightly, “I’m sure you can uncomplicate it, Mr. Caruso.”
“Alessio, cara ,” I correct. “I have a feeling we’re going to be friends by the end of this, so you might as well get used to using my first name.” Because she and I will never be just friends. We are going to be so much more, and I want her to get used to my name, because soon enough she’ll be screaming it.
“Mr. Caruso,” she replies tightly. “I’m sure you have all kinds of dark and nefarious things to be doing, so how about you stop trying to toy with me and get on with telling me what I want to know?”
“But where’s the fun in that?” Her eyes narrow on me, and her lips pinch in annoyance. “Fine, fine,” I sigh. “I thought California was all about being laid back and having a good time. Lazaro, we were clearly mistaken.”
Lazaro smirks at me, knowing what I’m doing. “I guess so, Boss.”
I look back at Sienna, who doesn’t look at all amused. “Alright, fine, we’ll get into it, but just be aware, cara , that this is going to be a long story.” She just watches me, saying nothing. “You come from a family that prizes males over females, to the point that your mother, and possibly your aunt, smuggled you and a few other baby girls out of the family when you were born. Or, perhaps, to avoid beatings from their husbands for producing girls in the first place, but at this point, that’s neither here nor there. However, one of the babies, another girl, Giulia, was not so lucky and was kept in the family. Mostly to secure a marriage contract when she was older.”
“My bio family is mafia then, just like you,” she states.
I nod. “Yes, exactly. Though, I must say, they certainly give us a bad reputation with the way they carry on.” I shake my head in disgust, and she just stares at me. “They are based in New York, though from the way things have been going, I doubt they are satisfied with that anymore. Now, the family is divided, and unfortunately they seem to have discovered you, which means you’re now in danger of them finding you and taking you to advance their own goals.”
“You mean they’re going to try and kidnap me then force me to marry someone they choose?” she asks, clearly dubious.
“Exactly. And trust me, the man they would force you to marry would not be the kind of man you’re used to. They’re the kind that don’t see women as having any value. You would be forced to breed an heir and look pretty when on display. Nothing more.” Blunt? Probably, but something tells me she can handle it.
Her eyes narrow even further. “And my so-called sister is married to one of these men?”
“No, actually. She is now married to another Don in New York who takes great issue with your family. Nico Armani.”
“Mhmmm. And how do you fit in, exactly?”
“Ah, now this is where things get a bit convoluted,” I tell her with a teasing smile. “Are you sure you’re ready for it?”
She blinks at me, and then looks at Lazaro. “Are you sure he didn’t hit his head or something? I mean, I get you, since you’re a giant, but like, did you drop something on his head? Should we get him to a doctor?”
Lazaro lets out a snort of laughter, and I shoot him an annoyed glare. He doesn’t respond , but the smile on his face is answer enough. “ Cara, your concern is touching,” I say, pulling her attention back to me. “But I can assure you I’m perfectly mentally sound.”
“Could have fooled me,” she mutters. “Look, as much as I’m enjoying this little stroll around my family tree, could we pick up the pace to a jog at least? I’d like to get to bed before midnight. I thought mafia guys liked to be quick about things, but you’re about as slow as a turtle.”
Her sass is going to get her into a world of trouble, but I have to bide my time. If we were further along, I’d already be fucking that sass out of her, but instead, I say, “Fine, fine, excuse me for trying to keep you from being overwhelmed.”
“I have a soon-to-be mafia Don in my apartment with his giant of a bodyguard,” she replies drily, “and have just been informed that my biological family are mafia and are looking to take me captive and forcibly marry me off. I think we’re past overwhelming. Tell me the rest.”
Her calmness is remarkable. Any other woman would be freaking out and screaming the place down. So, I give her what she’s asked for.
“Your eldest brother, Marco, contacted our family to form an alliance, the price being the marriage of myself to your sister. Now, our family normally has no interest on this side of the ocean, but well, things change and I was intrigued. At that point, your sister was the only known female De Luca, so that made her even more appealing. However, we did not know that your father and uncle were also individually trying to secure marriages for her. Your father promised her to the eldest heir of a lower-level Boss just outside of New York, while your uncle promised her to a rival family in Sicily. Specifically, to Rafaele Parisi, who has taken over for his terminally ill father. As you can see, there are a lot of people who thought they were going to marry your sister. Until she went missing. None of us were the wiser about these other plans for her hand.
“Once she caught the eye of Nico, well, there was no way he was letting her go. Not long after we made an agreement with your brother for the marriage contract, we got a call from Nico and his housekeeper. The housekeeper is actually Lazaro’s sister, they informed us they were aware of the marriage contract and that things were falling apart in New York. Because while she was offered to Parisi, her brother to me, she was also offered to Nico by your uncle. Your uncle had no idea she was already with Nico. But to speed things up, we agreed with Nico and after speaking with your sister, we went to New York to handle things and attend their wedding. It was at that point when things made themselves known. Currently, the De Luca house is broken into three different factions, headed by your father, your uncle, and your brother. All three are trying to gain control, or in the case of your father, keep it, and part of that control is the need to fulfill some of those contracts to gain more allies and power. Since your sister is married and no longer an option, that only leaves you.”
She doesn’t say anything for a long time. She just stares at me, processing. Finally, she asks tightly, “And, you being here?”
“I’m here to take you to Sicily, where your sister is vacationing with her husband on their honeymoon, and ensure you don’t fall into the clutches of your family. From there, we’ll decide what happens.”
“ You’ll decide,” she repeats, a sardonic smile twisting her mouth. “Oh, well, how generous of you, Mr. Caruso.”
“I’m a generous man,” I say with a smug smile. “Just ask anyone.”
“Mhmmm, and you’re not here to enforce the contract are you, Mr. Caruso?” she asks. “You know, since you can’t have my sister.” Her voice goes ice cold, and her eyes turn glacial as they stare at me.
Ah, there it is. The emotions she’s kept carefully guarded. I want to see just how much I can draw out of her. “You are far more my type, cara mia , though your sister is lovely,” I tell her. “I have a feeling you and I can be very happy together.”
“Well, I’m afraid I’m not in the marriage market at the moment.”
“Ah, well, I’m sure you’ll see how well we’re suited on the plane on our way back,” I say easily, getting to my feet. “And your sister can tell you all about how wonderful I am. You’ll be half in love with me before we land, cara mia .”
“You really think so?” she asks sarcastically, not moving as she watches me.
“I know so,” I brag. “I am well known to be… fuck! ”
She moves so fast I can’t brace for it, or dodge the mug full of coffee that comes flying at my face with so much force that the impact stuns me and makes me stagger back a step. Before Lazaro or I can react, she runs into the pantry next to her, the door slamming shut behind her with the lock snicking in place. “Fuck!” I snarl, moving to the door and ramming into it, trying to force it open. Lazaro quickly joins me, the two of us trying to get the door down. “That was stupid, Sienna,” I growl, stepping back and swiping a hand along the side of my head, seeing blood coating it from where the mug cut me. “We were having such a nice conversation, too.”
Lazaro lets out a low snarl, steps back, and boots in the door with one hard kick. But the moment the door lands, instead of falling on her, I see that the pantry is empty. “What the fuck?” Lazaro snaps.
I spin on my heel and race for the window, and that’s when I see Sienna on the sidewalk, in front of the building near our SUV. “She’s outside,” I bark. We run out of the apartment, but just as we get outside, I watch in disbelief, anger, and maybe a little bit of amusement, as our SUV peels away from the curb, tires squealing.
I stand there staring after her, even as Lazaro starts barking orders into his phone. Anger burns in my belly that she got away, and that she caught me by surprise. But the anger is quickly overtaken by something darker, something far more pleasurable. It seems Sienna Harris has a few tricks up her sleeve. I won’t underestimate her when I catch her again. And I’ll make her see the errors of her ways in the best way possible.